Pharmacy Voice has welcomed a new report from the NHS Future Forum which encourages pharmacists and other health care professionals to “make every contact count” to improve patients’ mental and physical health and wellbeing.
The report, released today, says that greater focus should be given to tackling four barriers to a healthy lifestyle: diet, exercise, alcohol and tobacco and asks Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to reflect this in the legally-binding NHS Constitution.
Rob Darracott, Chief Executive of Pharmacy Voice said:
“The report gives clear recognition of the significant and valuable role that community pharmacy plays in healthcare. Making every contact count is at the very heart of pharmacy. Every prescription or consultation is an opportunity to offer someone help with maintaining good health and wellbeing as shown through the successes of the Healthy Living Pharmacy initiative.
A radical shift in the community pharmacy funding structure is required to turn the recommendations on lifestyle interventions into a reality. Incentives must attach to experience of patients not just to the volume of pills dispensed.
An estimated 1.6 million people choose to visit a pharmacy each day, of which 1.2 million do so for health-related reasons such as for their medicines and advice and to buy over the counter and other healthcare products.